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Saturday, September 10, 2011

Defined as "the object for which something exists." Interestingly enough---and perhaps divine in some way--I have recently encountered several young women who have grappled with the purpose for their own lives. Oddly, they are 28, 27 and 26 years of age, respectively. The first has been called to serve in orphanages throughout the world on several different occasions, but the most recent trip resulted in this statement upon her return: "It was one of those times in my life that I felt like I was exactly where the Lord wanted me to be and doing something for His kingdom that He had specifically created me to do." The second young woman has recently become a stay at home mother to her and her husband's first baby. She says of that role and new found love: "It (motherhood) is truly the greatest calling and I'm so grateful God has fulfilled that desire in my life!" Sadly, the third and youngest paints quite a different picture. In her brief 26 years, she has been broken and beaten down by life as a single mother of three children, divorced, unemployed and alone. The description of her life may include these phrases--rocky relationships, eviction notices, screaming children, food pantries, rising gas prices, past-due bills, demanding landlords, job searching, waiting in endless lines to apply for assistance, thoughts of escaping from it all---and the list goes on. Not a list many of us are very familiar with, but this is what fills her days and many sleepless nights. Yet--in the midst of it all--"purpose." Not purpose discovered as in the first two women, but purpose sought. And that is where we all begin.What is it that makes the purpose of this life so clear--or unclear? age? status? education? culture? circumstances? wealth? wisdom? intellect?One writer of the Bible, centuries ago, asked a similar question. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, questioned mankind's purpose--and could not find it apart from God. And neither can I, nor you. For God has "planted eternity in the human heart." (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Our Creator, Redeemer, the Lover of our souls, has planted a longing in our hearts that can only be satisfied by Him. He will use whatever He desires to awaken and stir that longing that leads to Him....and ultimately reveals our life purpose.Are you seeking purpose for life? That "object" for which you exist? Find it in God through Jesus Christ. And if you already have, help someone else find Him. Perhaps through a bag of food, a sincere smile, a tank of gas, a listening ear, a job, a nonjudgmental attitude, babysitting, a word of encouragement, approval or love, a prayer, a helping hand...Seek Purpose. Share Purpose. After all, that is why we exist.